Infrared to visible light image conversion device

Abstract

An image conversion device (14) comprising a detector (38) for detecting an infrared image and an image converter (40) for converting the infrared image to a visible image. The detector (38) and the image converter (40) are disposed on a single substrate. The detector (38) includes an array of multiple quantum well detectors (38) formed of GaAs or GaAlAs. The image converter (40) includes an array of light emitting diodes formed of GaAsP deposited on the array of multiple quantum well detectors (38). A photoemissive surface (28) is formed on the array of light emitting diodes (40) and a phosphor screen (30) displays the visible image.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image conversion device comprising: first means disposed on a substrate for detecting an infrared image, said first means including an array of multiple quantum well detectors; and   second means disposed on said first means for converting the detected infrared image to a visible image, whereby said first means and said second means comprise a single monolithic assembly.   
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the array of multiple quantum well detectors is formed of GaAs and GaAlAs. 
     
     
       3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the converting means includes an array of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the array of light emitting diodes is formed of GaAsP deposited on the array of multiple quantum well detectors. 
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 4 further including a photoemissive surface formed on the array of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       6. The invention of claim 5 further including a phosphor screen to display the visible image. 
     
     
       7. The invention of claim 6 further including an electron multiplier disposed between the photoemissive surface and the phosphor screen. 
     
     
       8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the output of the first means is input directly to the second means. 
     
     
       9. An image conversion device comprising: a monolithic array including quantum well detectors for detecting an infrared image and light emitting diodes disposed on and in contact with said detectors for converting the detected infrared image to a visible image.   
     
     
       10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the output of each detector is input directly to a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       11. An image conversion system comprising: means for receiving an infrared image;   means adjacent to the receiving means for detecting the infrared image, said detecting means including an array of multiple quantum well detectors;   means monolithic with the detecting means for converting the detected infrared image to a visible image; and   means adjacent to the converting means for transmitting the visible image.   
     
     
       12. A method of fabricating an image conversion device, comprising the steps of: depositing layers of GaAs and GaAlAs on a GaAs substrate to form quantum well detectors; and   depositing a layer of GaAsP on the layers of GaAs and GaAlAs to form light emitting diodes.   
     
     
       13. An image conversion device comprising: means disposed on a substrate for detecting an infrared image, the detecting means including an array of multiple quantum well detectors formed of GaAs and GaAlAs and   means disposed on said substrate for converting the detected infrared image to a visible image including an array of light emitting diodes formed of GaAsP deposited on the array of multiple quantum well detectors.   
     
     
       14. The invention of claim 13 further including a photoemissive surface formed on the array of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
       15. The invention of claim 14 further including a phosphor screen to display the visible image. 
     
     
       16. The invention of claim 15 further including an electron multiplier disposed between the photoemissive surface and the phosphor screen.